Kew Recreation Centre: Roof collapses at centre under construction

Neighbours say the sound of a roof collapsing at a Kew building site overnight was like an “explosion” and a “massive car accident”.

Kew Recreation Centre roof collapse. Picture: Pat Mitchell @patty_mitchell Twitter

Neighbours have been woken by a thunderous noise after the roof collapsed at Kew Recreation Centre.

The new centre has been under construction and was due to open next year, according to Boroondara Council.

Janette McHugh lives opposite the centre and heard a noise like an explosion when the roof caved in.

“It sounded like a massive car accident — it was quite incredible,” she said.

“Within seconds all the neighbours were out on the street wondering what was that and we looked up and realised (the roof) had collapsed.

“It’s going to take a long time to repair.

“We live opposite and we’ve lived with this for two years now and they were expecting to finish mid next year, which was delayed —` they were meant to be finished now.

“And looking at this we’ve got another two years (of construction) ahead.

“Just lucky it was night time and nobody was there.”

Another neighbour Mary said she was in bed when she heard an incredible loud noise.

“It was a strange noise, I didn’t know what it was,” she said.

“There were some sirens afterwards and then I heard on the news this has happened.”

Shoppers at the nearby Coles have stopped to take pictures of the damage.

According to a recent update from the council, the foundations of the building were recently completed, and structural roof framing over the pool areas had begun.

Luckily no one was at the site when the roof caved in.

In a media statement, the council said a section of the ceiling structure at the Kew Recreation Centre construction site collapsed after 10pm on Thursday.

The facility under construction has been cordoned off pending further investigations by the builder ADCO and WorkSafe.

“No one was hurt and there was no impact on neighbouring properties,” the council said.

“Damage was contained to the construction site and early investigations suggest other areas of the facility under construction weren’t damaged.”

The council said further details would be provided once the cause is known following the WorkSafe investigation with ADCO.

“As the site is under the control of ADCO, the builder, any additional costs will be a matter for them to resolve. Council is not anticipating any additional costs,” a council spokesperson said.

A WorkSafe spokeswoman said: “WorkSafe is making inquiries.”

The centre hit the headlines in 2021 when a pregnant woman and her young family spent time resting in a tent in a park to escape construction noise from the centre being built next to their home.